Major League Baseball’s offseason has begun, and everyone is thinking about the future. In most cities, that means the upcoming season; in others, it means the following three to five years. The classic phrase goes that you are either selling victory or selling hope. We at CBS Sports like to provide as much hope as possible during the winter season by examining each team’s farm system.
Of course, this does not imply that every team has an equally good farm system; as you will see along the process, some fall short in this regard. It does, however, imply that CBS Sports will spend the next few months analyzing the top three prospects in each franchise. We define “prospects” as players who will retain rookie eligibility for the 2024 season, so if a young player is missing, it is most likely due to this.
These rankings and evaluations are based on interviews with scouts, analysts, and player development professionals. Firsthand evaluation and bias are important factors to consider. Remember that evaluating players is a difficult undertaking, and it is acceptable to disagree with the rankings. These are only opinions; they have no bearing on the future. You may view our winter top 25 list by clicking here.
With that in mind, let’s start by dissecting the Texas Rangers.
1. Evan Carter (CF, 21 years old)
No. 3 in the top 25 rankings.
The shortened version: A highly disciplined outfielder with a feel for the barrel.
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023.
Carter, who did not compete in many showcase circuit events as an amateur, was a relative unknown when the Rangers picked him in the second round of the 2020 selection. When area scouts who saw him that spring started spreading The Word, the initial criticism gave way to a flurry of mea culpas. Carter has since introduced himself to the globe on a national scale throughout the postseason. He possesses outstanding command of the strike zone (albeit he could be more aggressive) and a feel for making solid contact. He is also a fast runner who can play all three outfield positions. The primary issue remaining regarding his game is his power potential. Whatever the outcome, he’ll be a crucial part of the Rangers’ lineup for years to come.
2) Wyatt Langford, OF (I am 22 years old).
No. 4 in the top 25 rankings.
The shortened version: The No. 4 pick has already knocked on MLB’s door.
MLB ETA: Spring 2024.
Last summer, CBS Sports ranked Langford as the No. 2 player in the draft class, stating that he would have been a solid No. 1 choice most years. It remains to be seen how his big-league career unfolds, but he justified our faith in him as much as he could in 44 minor-league games. Langford batted.360/.480/.677 with 10 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and two more walks than strikeouts over four levels, including a five-game appearance in Triple-A. He has unusual swing mechanics — he hardly packs his hands and steps into the bucket — but scouts were confident in assigning him strong offensive projections even before he had a professional at-bat. Langford also has deceptive speed, and some speculated that he could start his big-league career in centre. He is unlikely to earn that opportunity with the Rangers, but he may be able to make the squad after camp.
3. Sebastian Walcott (SS) (18 years old).
The shortened version: Dream about a potential power-hitting third baseman.
MLB Walcott, who signed with the Rangers in January for over $3 million, will not be allowed to legally drink until March 2027. (We’ll give you a moment to let those existential sorrows pass.) He’s already imposing, with a swing that suggests he’ll develop above-average power. Defensively, Walcott appears to be outgrowing the shortstop position as he gains strength while losing quickness. We’ll see, because the future is unwritten. The ideal outcome here would be a middle-of-the-order thumper with strong third-base defence.
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